Apparatus for sealing submersible devices



T. G. MYERS APPARATUS F'ORl SEALING SUBMERSIBLE DEVICES Original Filed July l. 1949 April 7, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 N VEN TOR.

.7/-4/0MA5 G. MYERS,

@Trae/vsn April 7, 1959 T. G. MYERS APPARATUS FOR SEALING SUBMERSIBLE DEVICES Original Filed July l. 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .7i/OMA.; 6;. MYEQS,

INVENTOR.

nited States Electrical Motors,-Inc.,LosAngeles, Calif., a corporation of California This inventionrelat'eslto submersiblestructures,I such as submersible #electric m'otorsadaptedto be lowered in a Well'for drivingf'apurnp directly connectedA tol the motor.

This application@isffa'ldivision oft the applicationk of Thomas G; Myers; SerialiNo.` 102,538,11iled July,` l, 1949, entitled Apparatus forV Sealing,n Submersible-'tv Devicesf now Patent No.-2',687,'907j.issuedAugust331,.1954, said application' beingfa: divisionof an AVabandoned y'application of Thomas G. Myers, Serial No. 453,126,y -fled July31, 1942', entitled .'Submersible Structurei Usually thefmaterialfpumped:from the well-lis of such character'astobefharmful'to the motor should it enter into the motor casing. For"example,1\.when-water: is pumped,` it should-'be=kept away: from thewindings and contacting parts, so asrnotfto `cause electrical circuitsto be improperly 'establishedpthat would disable the motor. Also, suchA liquids usually carry: grit, sand or other foreign matter that `would quickly ruin the bearings inside of the motor.v Accordingly, itis-of considerable importance to segregatethecasiittgtinterioras completely as possible from `the'fliquidlin :w'hich'fit` is submerged;

It is one -ofthe objects-of-thisinyention to'make it possible, in a simple andeffectivemannelgto` insure against entryi oftheexternal liquid :to the operating parts of the motor;

It hasfbeen proposed inthe lpastito providerotary seals of various kinds fto' 4effect this result, theKV lseals beingdis'- posed' around the shaft E thatl necessarily ymustextend out of the-motorcasing.- However; sincethe motor 'casing is subjected to varying liquid pressure, dependent upon th'eldepth at whichwitis submerged; these -ordinaryseals have been found `quite' inadequate It-is another object of this invention to provide a-multiple seal effect toinsure to a greater degree against failure of the seal.

It is` another objectof this-,invention to utilize the rotating; contactsurface type oft`- seal to`supplement a liquid seal.

It is still another object-ofthis.invention to .providea combination liquid seal,..such as. mercury, and a seal formed by.y contact between .ai pairof relatively rotatable mem-bers, the liquid overlappingthe region ofcontact.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide improved seals embodying relatively rotatable members, inwhich transverse tiexure ofthe-rotating shaft under certain load conditionsfisl permissible-.without disturbing the sealing contact betweenn thev` relatively rotatable members. In this-connection, thesealing contactistassured by arrangement providingI one Ior, more f-supplemental, seals.

It isrstill-another object of tthisinvention to improve, in

2,881,013 Patented Apr. 7, `1959 ICC ' ti'onis not to betaken in' allimitingsense' since the-scope of the Finvention is vbest-defined by the appended claims:

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l. is fla.: view; mainly 'int longitudinall section, of astructnre embodyingtheinventionyshown as submerged in? a well;

Fig.' 2 'isan .enlarged'fragmentary sectional view'fof thestructureshown in Fig. 1, andparticularly showing theconstruction of 1a; seallfor the submersible structure;

Figs.` 3,' 4,15'andf'6'are viewssimilarto Fig.' 2, disclosingmodied forms of sealing structures.

TheK general character` of the submersible structure' is illustrated.toibestadvantagev inzFig. l, wherein arwell casing 10 hasassubmersible"electric'.motor 11vv disposed therein.v Thismotor'has'an upwardlyl extendingedrive shaftV 12,1 adaptedl to-be connected,for example, to a pump (not shown)r for f' pumping liquidl from: the'- well.' The motor is shown assubmergediinthe11wellliquidf13,which is usually water.

Themotor'is most conveniently anl 4induction motor-'of the'squirrel cagetypefzhaving primaryor-stator windings 14;?v Thesewindings areladapted to lbe connected to fa suitable `source of powerfatf thetop. of the well lby means of a cable 15.

Since theliquidcarriestforeignl` particles ordirt, the bearingsv 16, 17 supporting the -shaft 12-vrnustlbe pro4 tected'fromlthis Iliquid. Furthermore, `the windingszfll of the motor mustalso be @kept `separate from this -liquid, otherwise the ymotor' would be'fquickly disabled.

In orderI to Isecure 'these `results, a casing 1 structurel 18 is provided, which-.Jiszsoarranged thatthe well liquid is'excludedffromutheJparts that lneed Ito be protected 'for all conditions ofoperation vas .regardsl'wellpressure, level of the liquid, etc; This casingv structure is.` shown as formed vbyacylindrical body 19 withirrwhich `thefstator 14 is supported:` Securedto thelower endoflthebody 19, as b5/welding, is a lower:collar-20, to which is fastened ay bearing supporting housing 21, as bya series ofthreaded studs 22. The housing 21 yprovides astationary collar23 for supporting'the outer race 24 :ofaradial kballbearing structure 16, the innerrace 25 of which is secured on the shaft 12. The rotor larninationsy 26are mounted on the shaft 12,.as is-.well understood. Since thezbody` 19 may 4be made from standard pipe, it is a simple matter to pro# vide abody ofthe correct length for the rating of `the particular motor involved.

An upper collar V27 issecured to the top of the body- 19, as by welding, and has an upper bearing housing'andcasing head Ztlsecuredthereto, as by studs 29, in a manner similar to that in which. the lowerbearing housing 21 is secured totthe lower collar 20. The housing 28 pro;- vides an axially extending boss 30 serving to support thev outer race 31' of a radial and thrust-ball. bearing structure 1'7, the inner. race 32 of which: ismounted yon the shaft 12; v

The shaft extendsI upwardly beyond the bearing; for

connection with a pump, not shown. The pump may be connected mechanically to the casing of the motor as by the aid of a foot structure 33, supported upon the head member 28. The shaft passes through the head 28 out of the casing structure, and it is apparent that precautions must be taken to prevent entry of liquid around the rotating shaft 12 at this place. The manner in which this is accomplished will be described shortly.

The cable 15 extends through a coupling member 35 in uid tight relation with the top of the head 28, leading the connections from the windings 14 upwardly out of the casing structure 18.

It is preferred to have a filling of inert, lubricating liquid 36 within the casing structure. For this purpose lubricating oil is convenient, although other suitable liquids may be used. The liquid filling 36 in the casing may be replenished as desired, for example, by means of a supply pipe 37 connected to a passageway through the head member 28. The pipe may lead to the top of the well for connection to a source of the liquid under suitable pressure.

Itis advantageous that liquid pressure inside the casing structure 18 be closely controlled. In this way, there is an assurance that the sealing means provided for the shaft 12 will not be subjected to any undue pressure differential. Substantial equalization of pressure between the liquid filling 36 in the motor casing and the exterior liquid 13 is secured by the aid of a structure now to be described. Thus, the bearing housing 21 has an extension. This extension is provided with a bottom ange 38 having a through aperture 39. This aperture is in communication with the interior of a metal bellows 40 extending downwardly from the ange 38. This metal bellows is placed in fluid tight connection with the ange 38, as by the aid of the flange 41 and screws 42. It is apparent that the pressure of the oil 36 within the casing 18 tends to expand the bellows 40 and the pressure of the water 13 outside of the casing tends to contract the bellows. Any variation in pressure, therefore, that would tend to arise, such as that due to temperature variation within the casing, would be equalized by operation of the bellows 40.

Since the interior of the casing 18 is closed at the bottom by the metal bellows 40, the renewal of the oil within the casing by withdrawal of the old oil, is accomplished by providing an emptying pipe 43 for the oil connected to the bottom of the casing, as by being in communication with the interior of the bearing housing extension 21. When it is desired to replace the old oil, therefore, a circulation is provided by the aid of appropriate pumping mechanism at the top of the well to force oil downwardly through the pipe 37 and to remove it through the pipe 43.

The seal 44 disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 around the upper end of the rotary shaft 12 is housed partly within the casing head 28 and partly within an upwardly extending tubular member 45, that may be threadedly secured in the head. This tubular extension is provided with an annular clearanceaperture 46 in its end portion 47 around the shaft 12, to permit transverse exure of the latter under certain load conditions.

The seal structure 44 includes a non-rotary member 48 located within a casing head recess 49 and secured to the casing by screws 50, or the like. This member extends upwardly along the shaft 12 and hasv an annular sealing face or surface 51 at its upper end contacted by a companion face 52 on a rotary seal member 53, which is carried by the shaft. The rotary member 53 is secured to the lower end of a exible or metal bellows 54, the upper end of which is attached to a collar 55 fixed on the shaft 12. A helical spring 156 may also be disposed around the bellows 54 between the collar 55 and rotary seal member 53, for the purpose of urging` the latter downwardly into firm sealing engagement with the annular face 51 of the non-rotarym'einber 48.- f

rotary members 53, 48 coaxial and in alignment, with their annular sealing faces 51, 52 in proper engagement with one another, the rotary member is provided with a depending tubular extension or ange 56 telescoped within the non-rotary member 48. If desired, the cylindrical external surface of the ilange 56 may make a sliding fit with the cylindrical internal surface on the nonrotary member 48, to provide a telescopic cylindrical or tubular seal between the flange and the inner wall of the nonrotary member, which supplements the seal provided between co-engaging annular faces 51, 52.

Under certain load conditions, transverse exure of the shaft 12 is possible, which may disturb the accuracy of the contact between the annular faces 51, 52 of the rotary and non-rotary members 53, 48. To prevent such contact from being disturbed by transverse tiexure of the shaft, and to allow such llexing to occur without interfering with the shaft seal, a substantial annular clearance space 57 is provided between the exterior of the shaft 12 and the interior of the rotary members 53, and its depending tubular extension 56. A substantial annular clearance space 58 is also provided between the shaft and head 28. Since the rotary member is connected to the shaft through the flexible metal bellows 54, the shaft l2 may be deected transversely without contacting or interfering with the position of the rotary member 53 relative to the non-rotary member 48. Any tendencies for the transverse exing of the shaft to shift the rotary member 53 transversely of the non-rotary member 48 is prevented by the telescopic lit of the depending extension or flange 56 within the non-rotary member 48.

The form of shaft seal disclosed in Fig. 3 is similar to the one disclosed in Fig. 2. However, an additional heavy liquid seal is provided.

As shown in Fig. 3, the non-rotary member 48a is formed with a circumferential channel or groove 60, and has an outer wall 61 extending substantially above the annular contacting faces 51, 52 of the rotary and nonrotary members. The non-rotary member tits within the casing recess 49, and has a flange 62 through which screws 63 pass into the casing head 28 for the purpose of securing the non-rotary member 48a to the latter. A tubular casing extension 45a s threadedly secured to the upper end of the non-rotary member 48a.

The sealing arrangement disclosed in Fig. 3 is the same as in Fig. 2. However, the circumferential channel or groove 60 is filled with a heavy liquid seal 64, which may be mercury or carbon tetrachloride, for example, to a level 65 substantially above the annular contacting sealing faces 51, 52. This liquid seal 64 is in communication with the well fluid 13, that can enter the casing extension 45a through the clearance aperture 46. However, contamination of the filling liquid 36 in the casing by the well lluid is prevented by the three diterent seals pro vided. 'I'hese include the liquid seal 64 circumscribing the rotary member 53a and the non-rotary member 48a; the annular contacting faces 51, 52; and the coengaging cylindrical faces on the ange 56 and non-rotary member 48a.

A triple seal is also provided in the form of invention disclosed in Fig. 4. The casing head 28 is provided with a tubular extension 45b, to the upper end of which the non-rotary sealing member 48b is secured, as by means of the screws 65 passing through the flange 66. A collar 67 may be threaded onto the tubular extension 45b, and is provided with an annular clearance aperture 46 around the shaft 12. The non-rotary member 48b depends from its flange into the extension 45b, and has a lower annular sealing edge or face 51b contacted by a companion annular sealing face 52h on the rotary member 53h carried by the shaft 12. The upper end of a bellows 54 is attached to the rotary member 53b, and the lower end of A, the bellows to a collar 68 fixed to the shaft in essentially For the purpose of maintaining the rotary and non- 75,

the same manner as disclosed in Fig. 2. A helical spring 156 is disposed between the collar 68 and the rotary member-5312; urging `fthe vlllatter-"upwardly into lfirm sealing contact with the end face 5111 of the non-rotary member 48b.

In order to maintain the rotary andtn'on-rotary members' in proper alignment, with their faces 51b`, 52b'effectively sealing against one another, a telescopically tubular extension or flange 5611 projectsfupwa'rdly from the rotary member 53b within the nonrotary member 48b. The external `cylindrical surfaceof this projecting member 56b'/ makes a telescopicallyy sliding litvwith Athe cylindrical inner wall of the non-rotary membe'r48b, providing a cylindrical seal therebetween.

As in the other forms of the invention, a substantial annular clearance space 57b is provided between the shaft 12 and the rotary and non-rotary members, to permit transverse llexure of the shaft 12 without disturbing the sealing contact between the end faces 51b, 52b and cylindrical faces of the rotary and non-rotary members. A third seal may also be provided, in the form of the heavy sealing liquid 64 in the annular space 70 between the shaft 12 and the rotary and non-rotary members 53b, 48b, and also the bellows 54. This liquid may be inserted in the annular space 70 through the annular clearance aperture 71 between the shaft 12 and the non-rotary member 48b. The level 72 of the liquid 64 is above the upper end of the telescopic flange S6b.

As a result of the arrangement described, the well lluid 13 is prevented from entering the casing by the liquid seal 64, the cylindrical seal, and the end seal 51b, 52b.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, the rotary and non-rotary members 53h, 48b are arranged in essentially the same manner as in Fig. 4. However, provision is made for providing a liquid seal around the exterior of the rotary and non-rotary members. To provide such arrangement, an outer cup-shaped member or container 73 is secured to the shaft 12 below the bellows 54 and spring 156, and extends upwardly around the rotary and non-rotary members 53h, 48h to a point substantially above the annular contacting faces 51b, 52b. The cylindrical portion of the container 73 is spaced outwardly from the rotary and non-rotary members to provide an annular chamber 74 that can be filled with the sealing liquid 7S to a level 76 substantially above the location of the annular contacting faces.

In Fig. 5, the liquid filling 36 in the casing is prevented from contacting the sealing faces 51b, 52b by the liquid seal 75. In this instance, the three seals are still present, consisting of the outer liquid seal 75, the annular end contacting faces 51b, 52b and the cylindrical contacting faces of the flange 56h and non-rotary member 58b.

In Fig. 6, the arrangement is essentially the same as in Fig. 5. In addition, an inner liquid seal 77 is provided in the annular space between the shaft 12 and the rotary and non-rotary members 5317, 48h. The level 78 of this seal is above the upper end of the telescopic ilange 56b, to prevent the well liquid 13 from coming in contact With the circumferential sealing surfaces. Thus, both the well liquid 13 and the liquid filling 36 in the casing are prevented from contacting the sealing surfaces. In Fig. 6, a total of four seals are present, including the inner and outer liquid seals, the annular end seal and the cylindrical seal.

In order to prevent leakage of the liquid seals from the container 73a, the latter may be formed of one piece, as disclosed in Fig. 6, with the bottom portion 79 engaging a shoulder 80 of the shaft 12, and interconnecting the inner and outer container walls 81, 82 which extend upwardly from the bottom or base. The inner wall 81 projects through the central aperture 71 of the nonrotary member 48h, where it is engaged by a nut 83 threaded on the shaft, which forces the container 73a against the shoulder 80 and clamps the container to the shaft. The rotary and non-rotary members 53b, 48b, and

the bellows^i54 ineffect; fortn''an'in'terniedate 'wa-llspf ratingfth'e 'inner and v`outer sealingliquids` 77, 75:y

The-inventor claims:

l. In asubmersiblestructure: a casing; -a substantially vertical shaft-extending from .said casing; Ia non-rotary annular member carried by` the casing andhaving a downwardly directed end sealingl surface; arotary mem'- ber` carried by,A the shaftand having'fan upwardlyy facing annular'sealingsurface in'y contact' with said'end surface; afcylindrical-llange on said rotary member'V extending upwardly within said non-rotaryfmember andf'in tele" scopic relation to said non-rotary member; a container fixed with respect to said shaft and disposed along the exterior of said members to form an annular space therewith; a sealing liquid in said annular space disposed along said members and having a level above said annular contacting surfaces; and a sealing liquid within said members having a level above the upper end of said flange.

2. In a submersible structure: a casing; a rotary shaft extending from the casing; a non-rotary annular member carried by the casing and surrounding the shaft; a rotary container carried by the shaft and forming an annular space around said non-rotary member; a relatively axially movable member carried by the shaft and within the container, said axially movable member having an annular surface of contact with the lower edge of the nonrotary member; a flange carried by said axially movable member and in telescopic t With the interior of said non-rotary member; and liquid seals both exteriorly and interiorly of the non-rotary annular member, said seals overlapping the areas of contact.

3. In a submersible structure: a casing; a shaft extending from the casing; a non-rotary member having an opening through which said shaft extends, there being substantial clearance between said shaft and said non-rotary member; said non-rotary member having an annular surface adjacent and extending about said opening; that portion of said opening adjacent said annular surface being cylindrical; a rotary member having an annular surface and a flange inwardly of said annular surface, said flange having an exterior cylindrical surface, said rotary member having an aperture through which said shaft extends, there being substantial clearance between said shaft and said rotary member; a llexible bellows secured at one end to said rotary member; a container having inner and outer annular flanges, the inner flange being carried by the shaft and extending with clearance through the aperture of said rotary member and the opening of said non-rotary member, the outer flange extending about said members; means securing the other end of said flexible bellows to the bottom of said container, and dividing said container into separate inner and outer spaces; a compression spring urging said rotary member toward said non-rotary member, said cylindrical and said annular surfaces of said members being respectively in engagement; and sealing liquids in the spaces provided by the container, the liquid in the inner space extending above said annular flange of said rotary member, and the liquid in the outer space extending above said annular surfaces of said members.

4. In a submersible structure: a casing; a shaft extending from the casing; a non-rotary member having an opening through which said shaft extends, there being substantial clearance between said shaft and said nonrotary member; said non-rotary member having an annular surface adjacent and extending about said opening; that portion of said opening adjacent said annular surface being cylindrical; a rotary member having an annular surface and a flange inwardly of said annular surface, said flange having an exterior cylindrical surface, said rotary member having an aperture through which said shaft extends, there being substantial clearance between said shaft and said rotary member; a flexible bellows secured at one end to said rotary member; a cupshaped container extending about said members and car- 8 red by said shaft, there being substantial clearance be- References Cited in the le of this patent tween said container and said members; said bellows being secured at the other end to said container member; UNITED STATES PATENTS a compression spring urging said rotary member into 2,354,874 Myers Aug.` 1, 1944 engagement with said non-rotary member; said cylindrical 5 2,379,648 Myers .Tuly 3, 1945 and annular surfaces of the members being respectively 2,380,222 Curtis et al. July 10, 1945 in engagement; a sealing liquid in the container having 2,381,615 Myers Aug. 7, 1945 a level extending above said annular surfaces of said members; and a sealing liquid in said bellows and within FOREIGN PATENTS said members, and having a level extending above the 10 484,628 Germany Oct. 17, 1929 flange of said rotary member. 518,339 Great Britain Feb. 23, 1940 

